LASEK is an eye surgery that combines much of the advantages of other vision correction surgical treatments. And like any procedure, LASEK has its price.
Laser epithelial keratomileusis, or LASEK, combines benefits of the two most commonly carried out procedures – LASIK and PRK. LASEK eye surgery is utilized to deal with astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness.
Cost of Lasek Eye Surgery in 2019
The cost of LASEK eye surgery differs significantly across the nation. Numerous elements influence the LASEK expense, however the average rate most people pay has to do with $2,000 per eye.
The price you’ll pay for your LASEK depends on numerous factors, including:
- The type of laser innovation you pick
- The type of surgical instrument used to produce the corneal flap
- If your pre-op test and follow-up check outs are covered in the charge
- If your post-op medications are consisted of in the charge
- If retreatments (if required) are covered in the charge
- The skill, track record and experience of your refractive surgeon
- The community and area of the nation you live in
The least costly LASEK procedure is basic (non-wavefront-guided) LASEK; during this treatment, the corneal flap is created with a mechanical microkeratome. This is somewhat out-of-date LASEK technology.
So, the typical expense of LASEK eye surgery is roughly $2,000 in US (₤ 1,500 in UK), but rates can increase to over $3,000 (₤ 2,000).
The highest-priced choice generally is wavefront-guided custom LASEK carried out with the latest-technology excimer laser and a femtosecond laser for the corneal flap. Wavefront-guided innovation utilizes exact computer-generated mapping of the eye to direct the excimer laser as it reshapes the cornea, typically providing better visual results than standard LASEK.
The eye surgeon performing your procedure will likewise influence the expense of LASEK eye surgery. Cosmetic surgeons with the most experience tend to charge a bit more due to the fact that they bring great deals of competence to the table.
Is LASEK Surgery Worth the Cost?
This is a difficult issue that needs to be addressed in greater depth. Let’s try to understand the procedure called LASEK (not to be confused with LASIK) and determine its value.
What Are the Advantages of LASEK Eye Surgery?
LASEK surgery is stated to have several advantages, including:
- Problems connected with creating and reattaching the flap in the cornea are avoided.
- LASEK eye surgery causes dry eye less frequently than LASIK eye surgery.
In LASEK eye surgery, different strategies are used to keep the very thin corneal surface layer of cells (epithelium) that is used to recover the cornea after the laser sculpting is performed. With LASIK, a thicker flap is produced using a laser or mechanical device (microkeratome) under which the laser sculpting is done.
What Are the Disadvantages of LASEK Eye Surgery?
Disadvantages of LASEK eye surgery consist of:
- Longer visual recovery time compared to LASIK eye surgery. Lots of LASEK patients will not fully recuperate practical vision for a minimum of one to 2 weeks while their eye heals, which resembles the healing time experienced in PRK eye surgery. LASIK patients typically have good vision every day after surgery.
- LASEK eye surgery generally triggers more pain and discomfort than LASIK, however perhaps less pain than PRK surgery.
- Patients need to wear a “plaster contact lens” for about 3 or four days after LASEK eye surgery to function as a protective layer between your blinking eyelids and the treated eye surface area, which is not required after LASIK.
- Patients should utilize topical steroid drops for a number of weeks longer than after LASIK eye surgery.
- In numerous ways, LASEK is very similar to PRK and added benefits compared to PRK are not clear.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of LASEK Eye Surgery?
Side effects might include:
- Feeling of having a foreign things in your eye (lasts anywhere from one to 4 days).
- Temporarily minimized vision under inadequately lit conditions (approximately 12 months).
- Dry eyes, needing making use of hydrating drops (as much as 6 months).
- Hazy or cloudy vision (should disappear within 6 to 9 months).
How Do I Know If LASEK Eye Surgery Is for Me?
LASEK eye surgery might be better for patients who have steep or very thin corneas, which make it hard for the surgeon to make a proper LASIK flap. Considering that traumatic injury to the eye is more severe after LASIK than after LASEK eye surgery, patients who take part in expert or pastime that put their eyes at increased risk for injury (such as boxing) might be better fit for LASEK. LASEK (or PRK) eye surgery might be much better for people with dry eye syndrome because in preventing a deeper flap, the corneal nerves responsible for the tearing reflex are not cut.
Preparation for LASEK Laser Eye Surgery Consists of:
Before your LASEK laser eye surgery you will meet an eye surgeon or a coordinator who will discuss what you must anticipate throughout and after the laser eye surgery. Throughout this session your case history will be assessed and your eyes will be checked. Likely tests include determining corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, eye pressure, and pupil dilation. Once you have actually gone through your evaluation your surgeon will answer any questions you may have. Later on, you can set up a visit for the procedure.
If you use stiff gas permeable contact lenses, you should not use them for at least 3 days prior to your assessment. Other types of contact lenses should not be worn for at least three days prior to the assessment.
On the day of your LASEK laser eye surgery, consume a snack prior to going to the medical professional, and take all of your recommended medications. Do not use eye makeup or have any bulky accessories in your hair that will disrupt positioning your head under the laser. If you do not feel well that morning, call the medical professional’s office to identify whether the procedure requires to be held off.
What Happens During LASEK Eye Surgery?
LASEK eye surgery is done under a topical anesthesia placed directly into the eye. During the treatment, the leading layer of cells, or epithelium, is treated with alcohol for about 30 seconds and separated from the underlying tissue. It is then raised or rolled back so that the eye physician can access the cornea tissue. The recently exposed tissue is treated with the very same laser used in LASIK eye surgery and PRK. Then the leading layer of cells is put into place.
This remains in contrast to LASIK eye surgery, in which a laser or cutting device makes a flap in the cornea. LASEK eye surgery varies from PRK by protecting the top layer of cells, instead of scraping them away and awaiting them to grow back. This is thought to help with healing of the cornea with less discomfort than PRK, but it also triggers more blurriness during the first couple of days compared to PRK.
What Happens After LASEK Eye Surgery?
After LASEK eye surgery, expectations resemble what can be anticipated after LASIK. The flap created by LASEK eye surgery heals in about four to seven days, and the patient usually wears an unique contact lens that acts as a plaster for approximately 4 days after surgery. Patients also might experience irritation in their eye during the first day or two after LASEK eye surgery.
For patients who undergo the LASIK procedure, good vision is usually obtained in a few days. Nevertheless, for LASEK eye surgery this might take as long as a week.
You will revisit the medical professional for an assessment the day after LASEK eye surgery, and frequently one week and 3 months after surgery.
When to Call the Doctor About LASEK
If you have any questions after your LASEK eye surgery or if you experience pain, an abrupt decrease in vision, red eye(s), or discharge from your eye(s), call your optometrist immediately.
Image credit: laservision.co.uk
